2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a typical SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which appealed to many buyers. However, it lacked the personality of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, and the streamlined appearance of the Mazda CX-9. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country. The base model came with 18-inch wheels, while higher trims offered 20-inch wheels. Sharing a platform with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6, the Traverse aimed for a more blue-collar feel compared to its premium siblings.

Inside, the Traverse continued its restrained styling, with the standout feature being the optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof. The materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP. The interior space was generous, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. The Traverse offered substantial cargo space, with 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, it was stingy on interior storage options, typical of midsize three-row crossovers.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 had a sleek and poised stance, with a body that seemed ready to launch forward. The long, sleek roofline contained a big greenhouse without appearing bulky, and pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism. The snub nose and upright grille recalled the classic 245 wagon, while superior fit and finish conveyed quality. The LED headlights, known as "Thor's Hammer," added a playful nod to the XC90's Swedish heritage. Inside, the XC90's interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," with natural wood and metal trim providing an authentic feel. Exquisite details like the sliding wood tambor cover and clear crystal gear selector handle emphasized its luxury status.

Volvo committed to going leather-free by 2030, but the XC90 could still be fitted with Nappa leather for ventilated front seats. The alternative was a "tailored wool blend" upholstery, which Volvo promised was easy to care for and long-lasting. The XC90's interior space was well-utilized, with ample door pockets, seat back pockets, console storage, and a big glove compartment. The cabin was airy and spacious, enhanced by the standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed admirably during a heat wave, making the XC90 a comfortable sanctuary from the weather.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided ample power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic performed well overall, though it occasionally had rough shifts. The Traverse impressed with its highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and bump-absorbing suspension. However, it lacked agility on twistier roads, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation and could send torque to individual wheels but didn't noticeably improve handling.

The Traverse had off-road and tow/haul drive modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. This was average for the segment, with competitors like the Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer offering higher towing capacities.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine producing 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. The T5 models were available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the T6 and T8 models were all-wheel drive only. All XC90 models used an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The XC90 engines required Premium gasoline, with the T5 FWD models achieving 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and the T5 AWD models achieving 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The T6 AWD models were rated at 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 had a combined rating of 27 mpg on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range, while the extended range variant had a 26 mpg combined gasoline rating, a 66 MPGe rating, and an EV range of up to 36 miles. Charging the battery from empty to full took about five hours at 240 volts (Level 2).

The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV, with minimal body roll and controlled handling. The T8 Inscription extended range model provided spirited acceleration, with the electric motor delivering torque early and smoothing out power delivery. The XC90 was not a hot rod, but it was fun to drive.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, depending on whether you chose a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were above average. Heated front seats were standard on the RS model, with ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, with 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims, with a gesture-activated liftgate available on the Premier and High Country models. The Traverse had limited interior storage options, typical of midsize three-row crossovers.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with captain's chairs or three-across seating in the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The XC90 could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration and powertrain. The interior space was well-utilized, with ample storage options and a spacious, airy cabin enhanced by the standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, making the XC90 comfortable in all weather conditions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen in the RS model was easy to use, with large smartphone-like icons and analog controls for audio volume and climate control. The Traverse also had analog instruments supplemented by a small LCD screen. A rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system improved visibility and maneuverability. The Traverse had two USB ports for each row as standard, with wireless phone charging available on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen interface. The system supported familiar smartphone gestures but was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. Apple CarPlay worked better, and the XC90 also supported Android Auto. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel offered easy configuration and customization. The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade available. The XC90 had two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app for remote vehicle controls.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention tech. However, it received "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side-impact crash tests. The Traverse offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist available only on higher trims.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came with a comprehensive list of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features to keep the car in its lane and at a set speed with minimal driver intervention. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.